Yay! I'm so excited to introduce you to my wonderful friend and ARWA chapter mate J.K. Beck, who is the new alter ego for USA Today bestselling author Julie Kenner! Her new trilogy sounds absolutely fascinating and I hope you enjoy your sneak peak at it. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of the ARCs!

Hey everyone! J.K. Beck here (http://www.jkbeck.com/), and I'm so excited tobe participating in the Delicious Tease contest and to have the chance to tell you all about the new series I have starting in September. The ShadowKeepers series is a series of sexy, dark paranormal romances that center around a paranormal judicial system operating secretly within our own. Theseries is getting off to a bang with three back to back books: WHEN BLOODCALLS, WHEN PLEASURE RULES, and WHEN WICKED CRAVES (Sept 2010, Oct. 2010, Nov 2010). And I'm going to give away one copy of each of them to 3separate winners--I'll mail the prize books out on May 15! (ARCs if I havethem, otherwise bound galleys). Check out the blurbs from the books, and the excerpt from WHEN BLOOD CALLS.

WHEN BLOOD CALLS:

*The ultimate desire requires the ultimate sacrifice…*Sara Constantine is one of the country’s most tenacious prosecutingattorneys—and she’s just secured a well-earned promotion. At first she’s thrilled. Then she finds out her new job involves prosecuting vampires andwerewolves. And nothing prepares Sara for the shock she receives when shemeets the first defendant she’ll be trying to put away: Lucius Dragos, the sexy stranger with whom she recently shared an explosive night of ecstasy. When Lucius Dragos kisses the beautiful woman sitting next to him at thebar, he’s only hoping to blend into the crowd and avoid the perceptive gaze of the man he’s following…and planning to kill. But what starts as a simplekiss to secure his cover ignites into a fierce hunger that leads to anall-consuming passion. Charged with murder, Luke knows Sara will do whatever it takes to see him locked away—unless he can convince her that he’s not the monster she thinks he is. And that might mean making the greatest sacrificea vampire can make.

WHEN PLEASURE RULES:

*Desire is the deadliest enemy of them all.*Seven innocents have been brutally murdered on the streets of Los Angeles,yet the Shadow Alliance has no suspects and no leads. And as more bodies are discovered, the age-old feud between the vampires and werewolves threatens to explode and turn the city into a living nightmare.With her back to the wall, Lissa Monroe—a strong-willed, ravishingly beautiful succubus who entices men to surrender their souls—agrees to goundercover for the Alliance. Her mission: infiltrate the mind of werewolf leader Vincent Rand, a ferociously alluring enemy who has a powerful holdover her. Lissa has never lost control of her deepest desires, but Rand isan impenetrable paradox, a principled soldier who fears nothing—except perhaps the darkness of his own past. As the city of Angels teeters on thebrink of apocalypse, these two adversaries must join together to have even the slimmest chance of surviving a more lethal enemy hidden in plain sight.

WHEN WICKED CRAVES:

Their love could bring the most potent pleasure—or the darkest nightmare. *A danger to both the human and shadow communities, Petra Lang is cursednever to love. For one touch of her skin unleashes the vilest demonsimaginable. Sentenced to death by the shadow authorities, who fear she’ll turn her curse against them, Petra is rescued at the last instant by vampireadvocate Nicholas Montegue. As their bodies merge and transform into mist,Petra feels an urgent erotic longing. Nicholas fought long and hard to save Petra—and nearly paid theultimate price. He risked his own life to spare hers, yet he knows he cannever give in to the explosive attraction he feels for her. But the deep yearning they share can only be deferred for so long. Together, they mustfind a way to lift the curse. For only a love this strong has the power to overcome such monstrous evil.

Excerpt:

And just to give you a taste of the series, here's a scene between Sara and Luke from WHEN BLOOD CALLS (**spoiler note, this is from midway through the book!)

“Leave,” she said, forcing her chin up. “Leave now.”

“No.”

“No?”

“You don’t want me gone.”

“Yes.” The word came out weak, so she tried again. “Yes, I do.”

“And yet here I stand, when you need only push one small button to summon the power of the PEC to drag me off.” His eyes dipped down to the controlbox in her hand, and then back to her face. “If you wanted me gone, Iwouldn’t still be standing here.”

“No,” she whispered, but there was little conviction in the word. “I’ll do it. I’ll push the panic button.”

“No, you won’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re not panicking.” And to prove it, he brushed his palm softly over her nipple, sending fingers of fire shooting through her. Making her even more wet. Making her crazy.

She squirmed, her back against the wall, trapped between it and this man. She needed to get away, to get free. Because this wasn’t right. He was everything she despised. A killer. A liar. A criminal. A vampire. And yet he was there, touching her, wanting her. And damn her all to hell, she wanted him, too.

“Go,” she said, because if she didn’t say it, she would truly be lost.

He only grinned, then brought his mouth in close to hers. “No,” he whispered, the single word barely more than a brush of air across his lips.

She felt her body tremble, and she stifled the little moan of pleasure thatbubbled up when his lips grazed her cheek, her ear, her hair.“Sara,” he whispered, and pulled her close, his large hands splayed outagainst her back, his erection pressed hard against her. Ready, so ready.

“Luke,” she managed. “No.”

But he merely smiled. “Quiet now. My time is ticking away.”

Before her sluggish mind could process, he took her mouth in his. And though she knew she shouldn’t — knew she would kick herself black and blue later — she lost herself in the kiss, her pulse tripping as his busy hands slipped inside hershirt and over her bare back. Her breath hitched as his lips danced downalong her neck even as he murmured soft words that seemed to shoot straightthrough her, making her warm and wet and ready.

“Sara,” he murmured. “By the gods, Sara.”

She melted beneath his words, her mind knowing only want, only desire. She let the control box tumble to the ground, then thrust her hands into theback pocket of his jeans and urged him closer, until she was trapped tight between the wall and this man who wanted to consume her.So help her, she wanted him to.

His hand grasped the hem of her shirt, tugging it upward, and she lifted herhands in assistance. As soon as the shirt was tossed aside, he grabbed her wrists, holding them above her head as his mouth dipped to her breast. Histongue teased her nipple, before pulling away, the sensation of cool air ondamp flesh intensely erotic, and she writhed with need, silently begging himto touch her, to finish what he started.

He needed very little encouragement. She wore only panties now, and he bent low, dropping to his knees in front of her. As she gasped, he pressed his hands to the inside of her thighs, the pad of his thumbs playing with the elastic of her panties, teasing hermercilessly. His mouth soon joined in the torment, his fingertips drawingher panties down so that his tongue could lave.She buried her fingers in his hair, clutching him for support as her legstrembled and her knees threatened to no longer hold her.

"Luke,” she murmured, wanting to feel the press of his body against hers.Wanting to feel his lips, his tongue. Wanting to taste him and tease him.“Luke, please.” She eased him up, then took his mouth hungrily, desperately in hers. Shehooked one leg around his waist, locking him in place, wanting him, all ofhim.“Please,” she whispered, fumbling for his fly.

Beneath her hand, his erection strained, and he growled low in his throat, the desire she heard making her even more wet. More ready.

“Sara,” he whispered, his voice raw, and yet still soft. Still tender.And then, suddenly, it wasn’t.She felt the change in him instantly. A stiffness in his back. His hands holding her rather than caressing her. He’d shut down, and she didn’t understand why.

Alarmed, she pushed back against the wall, a thousand recriminations runningthrough her head. What was she thinking? Was she insane? Had the craziness of the day fried her brain? But all those thoughts vanished when she saw his face. When she saw his fangs. Her hand flew to her mouth and she fell to the ground as her feet slid out from under her, her hand closing over the control box.

“Sara,” he said, moving away, his hand held out in supplication. “No. I wouldn’t. I didn’t —”

It didn’t matter. She looked at him, and she saw the beast that had killed her father. Her own scream ripped from her throat as she fell back into her memories,her last coherent thought to press her finger down — hard — and trigger the alarm.

Wow! I've got chills already! Can't wait for September :) Since J.K.'s excerpt has a very hot vampire in it, I thought I'd ask about vampires today. If you like them, who's your favorite? I'm partial to J.R. Ward's Zsadist, myself ... Remember to comment for a chance to win the ARCs of the J.K.'s new series!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I'm thrilled to have my very dear friend Charlotte Featherstone here today. A wonderful writer who always pushes the envelope in her historical eroticas, Charlotte is one of a kind-- I hope you enjoy her excerpt as much as I did. Remember to comment for a chance to win a copy of Sinful.

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painfulthan the risk it took to blossom.—Anaïs NinThis is the quote that inspired the overall theme of my upcoming erotic historical romance, Sinful (May 1, Harlequin Spice). It has profound meaning, for both the hero and heroine, and it paints a nice visual at the same time. It also brought me back to a time and a place that greatly inspired me. It was in England, in Evesham, and I was on vacation. It was May, and I was following the blossom trail; a path that is miles long and filled with the heavenly scent of apple, cherry and quince blossoms. It was gorgeous. I also spent a lovely day picnicking on the grounds of Stourhead gardens. I even started the beginnings of an untitled book while sitting beside the romantic Gothic cottage situated on the grounds. I always knew that one day I would write a book with the gardens and the cottage as a setting. And Sinful turned out to be that book.Nin’s most apt quote, along with the memories of the English countryside in spring cemented what I wanted for Sinful, which is a story about growth, about shedding that dark cloak we wear and stepping out into the light, reborn and transformed.Personally, I love writing stories set in the spring. It feels fresh and new and alive. And I had a lot of fun digging out the old photos of that vacation and reliving those weeks. As the copy edits for Sinful arrived—right before Christmas, it was a special treat to read about feeling the sun on my face, the chirping of birds, and the smells of spring. It’s put me in the mood for spring ever since, and finally, here in Canada, the first tentative signs of the season are beginning to show.My most favourite thing to do in the spring, is to climb into bed with the windows open and feel the night air blowing through the curtains. I love to listen to the crickets, and see the moonlight filter in. It’s my best time for thinking up new hunky heroes, and romantic loves scenes. There’s something about the smell of spring, of fresh cut lawn, of seeing the grass turn green, and the scent of sheets hung to dry in the wind and the sun. It’s spring, and it makes us feel happy and alive after a long, cold winter.I’ll leave you with an excerpt from Sinful, a spring teaser, to get you in the mood for those sunny days, and maybe a bit of sinful behaviour beneath your very own apple tree!I’ll be giving away a signed copy of Sinful, and all you have to do is comment, and tell me what your Sinful good weather indulgence is!

Blurb:In Victorian England vice of every kind can be purchased, and Matthew, the Earl of Wallingford, makes certain he avails himself of every possible pleasure. Bored and jaded, he is as well-known for his coldness as for his licentious affairs with beautiful women. While these numerous dalliances fulfill Matthew's every physical need, they secretly leave him numb and emotionally void. Until one night when he finds himself beaten, eyes bandaged and in the care of a nurse with the voice of an angel - and a gentle touch that soothes the darkness in him and makes him yearn for more. Yet Jane Rankin is a lowly nurse, considered shy and plain by most. There is no place for her amongst the lords and ladies of the aristocracy - despite Matthew's growing craving for the fire that burns behind her earnest facade. And then there is Matthew's secret. A secret so humiliating and scandalous is could destroy everyone he loves. A sin, he fears, not even the love of a good woman can take away...

In this excerpt, Jane and Wallingford are on a picnic, by the lake that surrounds his estate. Wallingford is an artist, accustomed to be beauty...

"I am full of flaws, Jane, but with you—" He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, making Jane wish to press her lips to. "With you, Jane, I have the very great desire to be the sort of man that cares. That feels. A gentleman, I believe the ladies call that sort of man."

Jane smiled despite herself. Matthew, Lord Wallingford, would never be the gentlemanly sort, and the knowledge secretly thrilled her.

He reached into a satchel that lay on the grass and pulled out a book. “ Look.”

She flipped through it and scanned the elegant nudes he had sketched. They were of a woman with a lovely body, sprawled in many positions. The woman was faceless in every sketch, until the last. There she saw her face. It was her in bed, blossoms covering her.

"I want to paint you like this," he murmured, taking the book from her hands. He pressed her back onto the blanket with his palm on her belly. "I want you naked, surrounded by blossoms."

Matthew slid in beside her, his hand resting beneath her breast. The breeze blew across them, sending a few blossoms wafting down, landing on the exposed flesh of her chest. She moved her hand to brush them off, and Matthew clasped her hand in his, threading his long fingers slowly between hers.

"Let me." Then, lowering his head, he gently blew the blossoms off her gown. Jane couldn't smother the small cry that escaped her, nor could she hide the goose bumps that sprang up to cover her flesh. His hand tightened on hers, then his lips brushed over her skin in much the same way as his breath had. Her skin tingled, and an ache developed in her breasts.

"You taste so sweet," he breathed against her flesh. "Your skin is so soft, so warm."

Jane cried out when he unlocked his hand from hers, but her protests ceased when she felt his fingers beneath the edge of her bodice.

"It all went so wrong last night, Jane. So wrong," he murmured as he tugged the bodice lower and ran his tongue along the edge. "You thought I believed you insignificant, but the truth is, I find you fascinating. You think I suppose you're not pretty, but, Jane," he said, looking up, "I find you stunning. Your eyes…your imperfect mouth. It's beautiful, and I want to paint you how I see you, sensual and womanly, dying to break free of an ideal that imprisons you." His fingers unhooked the top buttons of her gown as he parted her bodice to reveal the swells of her breasts, " I know your body is not mine, that you will not give it wholly, but could you give me something of you, Jane?"

She closed her eyes and allowed him to bend his head to her breasts. He nudged the gown lower with his mouth, nipping her skin.

"Yes," she murmured. Tentatively, she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Yes, Matthew."

He exposed her, pulling her breasts free of her corset. The warm breeze kissed her nipples, hardening them, and she opened her eyes to see him tracing one areola, his circles becoming smaller and smaller until his fingertip caressed the very tip of her nipple. Reaching above her head, he picked up a handful of blossoms and dropped them onto her chest, then he lowered his head, and blew them so softly away from her.

"Matty," she whispered, catching his gaze. A tear slipped from her eye, trickling beneath the lens of her spectacles, before sliding down her cheek where he brushed it away with his lips. "What have you done to me?"

Question of the day: What is your sinful good weather indulgence? Comment for a chance to win Sinful!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Good morning, everyone! I’m popping in today to talk about my paranormal romance series, The Doomsday Brethren. I love writing these complex characters, relationships, and situations. Each one of these heroes has been through hell and back, and each has a very different heroine by his side for the journey to happily-ever-after. If you haven’t tried these books yet, here’s a sampling of the first few:TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESSDoomsday Brethren Series, Book 1

Read the first chapter“This orgasmic paranormal…will have Black’s fans panting for the next installment.” ~ Publisher’s Weekly“Tempt Me With Darkness is a hot, exciting romance filled with intriguing characters and a great storyline. I can’t wait for more in this imaginative, sizzling new series!” ~ New York Times Bestselling author Lara Adrian5 out of 5! “As the first book in Shayla Black’s intriguing new series, Tempt Me With Darkness is a fantabulous kick off to what promises to be an incredible adventure. With the heat and intense emotion we have come to expect from Ms. Black, and the action she is showing a distinct flair for, you cannot possibly pass this one up.” ~ A Romance Review5 out of 5! “With her fascinating world of immortals and magickind, beloved author Shayla Black’s Tempt Me With Darkness hooks readers from page one and keeps us enthralled to the very end. This is a wonderful new series with a depth and passion that will make readers crave the next installment.” ~ Two Lips ReviewsSEDUCE ME IN SHADOW Doomsday Brethren Series, Book 2

Read the first chapter“Dramatic… A page turner!” ~ RT Bookclub5 out of 5! “SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW is highly addicting and emotionally gripping. The plot sizzles with twists and turns that kept me engrossed long after I finished reading. Highly recommend…” ~ Romance Junkies“Ms. Black blends magic, mystery and romance into a suspenseful tale. Her masterful storytelling comes through on every page.” ~ Paranormal Romance Writers“Innovative storylines and a marvelous cast of characters make paranormal romances by Shayla Black exceptionally noteworthy. With fascinating circumstances, appealing characters and a delightful brand of humor, SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW is a rewarding paranormal romantic adventure.” ~ SingleTitles.comPOSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHTDoomsday Brethren Series, Book 3

And if you haven’t tried the Doomsday Brethren and would like a little taste, check out “Fated,” my free read available here. And to start you off right on a Monday, here’s a little snippet:

There’s a bloody unwelcome sight.Ronan Wolvesey wandered into his usual haunt, The Witch’s Brew, with his twin brother, Raiden, close behind. The rowdy London pub always drew a noisy, unusual crowd: athletic types, businessmen, goth girls…and many of magickind’s unmated. A surprise, considering its owner was pure human.It was that very human Ronan now watched, all swinging golden curls and enormous blue eyes, as Kari Keswick leaned over the bar, her brief blue t-shirt exposing a band of soft skin at her midriff. She spoke to another wizard, a big dark-haired one with gray eyes and the look of a predator. Tynan Someone-or-other, he’d been told.Fighting a gust of wind, Ronan slammed the little pub’s door. Kari didn’t look his way. Instead, she gripped Tynan’s shoulder as she looked into his eyes and smiled softly.Bloody hell! He feared this wretched feeling poisoning his blood was the emotion humans called jealousy. He’d rather swallow battery acid.“Your eyes will burn holes in her if you stare any harder,” Raiden murmured.“He’s been here too often this past month, talking to Kari.”“Why do you care? It’s not as if you’ll spend tonight alone. In fact…” He looked away. “I see two splendid possibilities by the window. Come on.”Raiden saw such possibilities every place they went, and rarely was he wrong. Ronan knew he would not spend the night alone…but he fantasized about spending it with Kari. If he approached her now, she would likely refuse him—just as she had for the past two years. Until now, he’d assumed Kari didn’t want to cross that human-wizard line. Given her present company and their coziness, it appeared her refusal was more personal.“In a moment.” Ronan headed for the bar.Raiden grabbed his arm. “She’s not for you. Forget her.”Ronan refused to concede defeat. “Shove off.”“She’s hardly the most beautiful female you’ve ever seen. Last week’s blonde was more stunning by half. What was her name?”He had no idea, and that was the problem. He grew weary of waking up in a different bed, beside a different body every morning. At just ninety, he was young by magickind’s standards. He couldn’t live this way for another ten minutes, much less eight or nine centuries.“There’s something about Kari,” Ronan confessed. “I’ve nearly gone mad trying to discern it.”“The fact she said ‘no,’ a word you never hear?” Raiden shrugged. “Plenty of other lovelies. Pick one and move on.”As if all women were interchangeable. For Raiden—and the rest of the Wolvesey clan—they were.“Chat up the girls by the window, then. I want to pop over to the bar, say hello.”Raiden rolled his eyes. “Be quick. Besides, she looks…busy.”At that, Ronan turned back to Kari to find her laying her soft pink lips against the big wizard’s cheek. She looked so delicate and fair against his strong, sun-bronzed jaw. Then Tynan grabbed her hand and squeezed.The sight ripped a hole in Ronan’s chest. He clenched his jaw so hard, it was a wonder he didn’t grind his teeth into powder.Stalking across the bar, he yanked out a stool near Tynan’s. It screeched across the old stone floor. Still, Kari did not look his way.To his left, the heat from the brick hearth flamed to ward off the coming winter’s chill. Heavy alternative rock played in the background as some wizards laughed at their attempts to play billiards without magic. Human females at the end of the bar toasted something with stout red wine. Ronan scarcely noticed any of it. As always, Kari drew him in utterly, her smile shining as brightly as her golden hair. Her otherworldly blue eyes seemed to take up half her sweet face. A glance at her bowled him over.There was something…fresh about her. Almost pure. If he could figure it out exactly, maybe he could rid himself of this odd obsession.“Kari?” he called.She blinked several times, then tore her gaze from Tynan’s. The other wizard released her, giving her permission to greet him. Was she bedding the wanker? In love with him? The thought screamed across his brain like a battle cry.“Ronan.” She sidled down to his end of the bar. “A scotch?”“Double, no rocks.” He glanced down at Tynan. “New…friend?”“I see your brother has already made yours for the night.” She looked just over his shoulder at his brother with a sarcastic twist of her pretty pink lips. “I hope you’re in the mood for a brunette tonight. It appears she’s yours by default. Raiden always takes the redheads.” Then she looked at her watch and whistled. “Quick work. That’s a record, even for him.”Ronan grimaced. He didn’t like coming here to find women, but his twin insisted nowhere else was more expedient or target-rich.“I don’t care who Raiden’s found. He can have them both. I came for you,” he confessed.Kari reached behind her for a glass on the shelf. “We’ve been over this. I won’t spend the night with you.”“Why? It’s not because I’m a wizard.” He glanced at Tynan. “Clearly.”“Don’t ask me again. Please.” She slammed the glass on the well-worn bar between them.Ronan grabbed her hands. They were soft and fragile, and at a mere touch, desire burned him alive, eating at his composure. “You’re like a fever to me. I need to touch you.”“That line work for you often?”Kari thought the admission he’d had to choke out was a ploy? He scowled. “It’s not a bloody line.”She shook her head, blonde curls brushing breasts he’d dreamed about touching, and extracted her hands. “Like any fever, you’ll recover from it.” Kari then withdrew a bottle of scotch, filled the glass, then shoved it his way. “Six pounds.”With a sigh, Ronan shoved his money across the bar. “I simply want to talk to you.”“No, you want to shag me. And then forget me as you have every woman you’ve ever met here and shagged for the past two years. The notches on your bedpost are long, as is the line. I have neither the time nor inclination.”With that, she turned away and headed to the other end of the bar.Bugger!Raiden motioned him over, and Ronan went, pasting on a smile. He glanced at the brunette. Pretty enough. Nice mouth. Small hands. Maybe he could close his eyes and pretend she was Kari. It would hardly be the first time. But now that he knew wizards weren’t off limits, he vowed someday—soon—that he would have Kari for a night.

Remember to leave a comment for Shayla for a chance to win signed copies of the first two books in the Doomsday Brethren series. Happy Monday, everyone! Have a great week :)

Yay! I'm so excited to have Shiloh here today, talking about her latest book, Broken. I read it a couple weeks ago (right after it came out) and it was wonderful-- I loved it as much as The Missing, which was my favorite book of hers to date. Anyway, join me in welcoming the very cool, very talented Shiloh Walker today-- comment for a chance to win a signed copy of any book from her backlist.

Blurb:

Shattered

Quinn Rafferty is working as a bounty hunter and bail bondsman in St. Louiswhen a new neighbor catches his eye. He’s tempted by her beauty—but he knowsfrom experience that anyone desperate enough to live in his building isdamaged goods. Besides, he has his own soul to mend before he can worryabout anyone else

Desperate

Sara Davis is on the run, but not for the usual reasons a woman goes on thelam. She’s not an abused wife, and she’s not a criminal. But she does have aplan for her future. And as much as she finds herself attracted to hergruff, tough neighbor, she can’t risk telling him the secrets she’s hiding.There’s just too much at stake.

Driven to desire…

But Quinn must get closer to Sara when she turns out to be the target of hisnew missing persons case, and he discovers that there is something morecomplex and dangerous to her than he thought. Now, both Quinn and Sara willhave to expose their true feelings—as well as their fragile hearts—if theyhope their love will survive…

Excerpt:

He opened the door—And stopped dead in his tracks as somebody all but fell into his arms. Somebody…a woman. And not Theresa. He caught her just above her elbows, automatically steadying her.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice soft and low. Then she lifted her face and Quinn found himself gazing into the biggest,brownest eyes he’d ever seen in his life.

Feeling a little dazed, he studied her face while she stammered out another apology.Quinn barely heard it.He was too busy staring at her mouth. A very pretty mouth, a cupid’s bow mouth slicked with deep, vibrant red. Under his hands, he could feel silken smooth skin and unable to resist, he stroked a thumb along her inner arm.Her skin was soft, soft and warm. He was also pretty sure she had the creamiest, most flawless skin imaginable. Her shoulder-length hair was ashade caught between blonde and brown, nondescript, but for some reason, hefound himself thinking about tangling his fingers in that hair and holding her head still while he kissed that red-slicked mouth.

Well, hello…he could all but feet his libido kicking up as he stared at that mouth. Every last one of his senses tuned in on her—The way she looked…sex and sin.The way she smelled…sex and sin.The way she sounded…sex and sin.The way she felt…the way she might taste. Sex and sin. He knew it without a doubt. She’d taste like sex and sin. His mouth was all but watering.

“Ahhh…excuse me,” she said, tugging against his light hold.

“Uh…yeah.” He uncurled his fingers and let go, although he hated every second of it. She immediately backed away, putting a good five feet in between them and eying him nervously. In that moment, he was acutely aware of the fact that he hadn’t bothered shaving that morning, or the morning before. He was also acutely aware of the wrinkled state of his gray T-shirt and the worn jeans he wore. He hadn’t gotten into the habit of wearing the unofficial uniform worn by most of the guys who worked for Gearing, but he’d swapped out the black T-shirt that read Bond Enforcement for a plain one. Wearing those particular shirts outside of work had ended up causing him a headache or two so when he remembered, he changed out of them before leaving the office.

She continued to stare at him, her face expressionless and her eyes measuring. She might have just continued to stare at him indefinitely ifT heresa hadn’t come bustling down the hall.

“Quinn?” Tearing his eyes away from the unknown woman, he smiled at his landlord. It no longer seemed so weird to smile at somebody—as in he didn’t worry his face might crack if he wasn’t careful. Still, the smile on his face did feel odd.

“Hey, Theresa. I didn’t know you had company.”

She beamed at him. “This isn’t company. This is your new neighbor. She just moved in to the upstairs apartment. Sara…I’d like you to meet Quinn Rafferty. Quinn, this is Sara Davis.”

Sara. Neighbor. Staring into Sara’s dark brown eyes, his heart sank just a little. Great. Some people collected books. Some people collected knickknacks. Some people collected coins. Theresa collected lost souls, as evidenced by the fact that he was living in her basement after she’d charmed him into changing her tire outside Dierburg’s a few months earlier.

The last woman to stay in that apartment had ended up being a battered woman hiding out from her ex. Before that, it had been a girl who’d been all of nineteen, with two kids and a third on the way. When that one had left, she’d ended up stealing from Theresa and skipping out on the piddling amount of rent that Theresa had coming.

If Sara Davis was living in Theresa’s upstairs apartment, that made her pretty much off limits. It didn’t matter that his dormant sex drive was all of sudden flaring up on him.The last thing Quinn needed to be around was another lost soul, not when he still struggled to find his own.

Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of one of Shiloh's backlist books!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Kris Cook. I had the chance to meet him when I was doing the booksigning with Shayla in Dallas and it was a real pleasure. He was incredibly nice and great fun to talk to, so I'm very excited to also introduce his debut novel, Perfection: Eternally Three. Comment below for a chance to win a print or ecopy.

Being a male writer of paranormal erotic romance has been quite a ride for me. Many friends suggested that I keep my gender to myself. Not my dear friend, Shayla Black. She told me that it wouldn’t be an issue for most and might even be a curiosity for many. I listened and came out as a guy from the very first. Boy, am I glad I did.

My debut book – PERFECTION: Eternally Three has been a thrill. It made it to my publisher’s #2 bestseller list. It’s been getting fantastic reviews. It received a nomination for Best Paranormal Erotic Romance for TRS’s CAPA award. Readers have sent me wonderful emails, which mean so much to me.

The print book came out this month. I can’t even describe the feeling I had when I got to sign one for someone for the first time. It really got me in gear for getting the sequel done. I’ll be turning it in to the publisher in about seven days. Fingers crossed for an early release.

FYI – whoever wins my book may request either a Print or eBook copy.

Dream Big!

Kris

Blurb:

While searching for her missing brother, a woman comes face-to-face with two amazing men, straight from her fantasies. Should she trust these immortals who fight a raging war to find her brother? Is it just sex they’re after—or something more?

Excerpt:

“Micki, do you like me touching you?” Jared murmured.

“Yes.”

His mind swirled with desire and his cock hardened again, making him grit his teeth. Could he really keep the dark lust that beat inside him at bay?

Bradley moved down from her mouth to her shoulders, licking the entire way.

Jared felt Micki’s pulse quicken.

Don’t stop, she thought.

“We won’t stop.” Bradley’s blue power swirled around Micki’s red.

“Not until you’re dripping with desire.” Jared sent his green energy to join with the blue and red surging around her. “Not until you’re begging us to take and fill every part of you.”

Ease off, Bradley warned.

Fuck you.

Micki turned to him. “I—I’ve never begged.”

“By the time we’re done, I promise you’ll be very comfortable with it.” Jared vowed, watching her shiver as the angel sucked on her lobe.

Her breasts demanded Jared’s attention. He gladly complied, cupping them through her blouse. Taking both delectable taut nipples between his thumbs and forefingers he pressed. She gave a long moan and titled her head back, delighting him to his core. He pinched harder. She grabbed his forearms and gasped, blasting his centuries of self-denial to bits.

He released her nipples and caressed her gorgeous mounds.His reason scattered, overtaken by need. In the back of his head, he knew he must stay focused, but something about her made that impossible.

Bradley sent, Slow down!

Don’t tell me how to triple, infant!

The angel reached around Micki’s back and grabbed his shoulder and squeezed hard enough to break a human bone. But Jared wasn’t human.

She wiggled between them, distracting them, flushed and unaware. Energy gathered and swirled at levels unlike anything Jared had ever seen or experienced. Her skin burned hot under his touch.

Mentally, he probed the power Micki radiated. An enormous jolt shot through him, stronger than anything he’d ever felt. They didn’t have time to slow down. They must triple now.

“I’m nervous,” Micki fidgeted.

“That’s okay, sweetheart.” The angel shot him a glare when

Micki closed her eyes. “I understand, but you’re safe.”

Though Micki’s red energy didn’t shrink back, that would take a tripling, her worries faded from her expression.

The angel promised her, “This will be incredible for you.”

And for us, Jared thought.

Micki opened her eyes. “I’m not sure how far I can go tonight. I didn’t come here for…you know.”

Her gaze burned him up to the core, and his insides threatened to explode. The need to move his mouth over hers, dip inside for another delectable taste, scorched him, leaving him weak-headed as all remaining blood rushed to his cock.

He touched her soft lips with his forefinger before he replaced his finger with his mouth. She tasted wonderfully warm and sweet. He pressed harder into the kiss. Urgent need engulfed him.

Desire filled him for their coming orgasms and energy exchange. He puzzled over this new ache she’d brought forth, more compelling than any before. Her energy continued to grow, spanning the entire room. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to consume it all. He must try for Micki, but unease gripped him. What if the tripling didn’t work? What if he couldn’t hold the seeds of darkness inside him from taking her last breath?

Still fully clothed, Bradley gently rolled Micki to her left side, then pulled her back toward his front. Was the angel testing him?

Her thoughts skated into his mind. I can’t believe my fantasy is really coming true. I’ve never been so turned on.

Her silent confession summoned his need to dominate her. He unbuttoned her white silk shirt and found the mounds that had been tempting him all night long. Her firm, reddish nipples jutted out to him, begging to be touched, tasted. He took one at a time between his thumb and forefinger and pinched.

“Yes, yes, yes.” she repeated and then screamed silently, Please, take me!

Jared hesitated. Could he control his hunger enough?

When Bradley rolled her nipples between his fingers, and Micki moaned his question dissipated. Jared leaned in, nipped the hard tips back and forth until he took in one quivering berry in his mouth and sucked hard. Micki’s swirl of energy inundated him.

Jared sat Micki up and dropped to his knees in front of her. As he stared in hunger, Bradley sent a warning glare. He wondered if the angel had his sword ready to conjure.

Jared turned Micki’s hips toward him and removed her skirt, leaving her soaked pink panties clinging to her swollen folds. Micki leaned back into Bradley.

As the angel tossed her shirt to the floor, Jared dipped down and licked Micki’s inner thighs. She moaned. Jared delighted in the sounds roused by his and Bradley’s fondling.

Micki’s trembling revealed her passion and Jared couldn’t wait another second to turn up the heat in her. He kissed her swollen mound under the fabric.

Rivers of light raced around them, a deluge of power. Desire. Passion. Ecstasy. All of it overwhelmed his better senses, trapping him in a vortex of Micki’s sensual energy.

Jared struggled to remind himself to stay in control, to not loose all of his hunger, but when Micki’s red color exploded inside his head, it obliterated all rationale.

He ripped Micki’s panties from her body. His primal need twisted for release. He lapped her clit with his tongue.

Micki’s moans brought a flood to his balls. He needed release, especially when Micki fisted her hands in his hair and pulled him in closer between her legs.

He tensed as the power coursed through him, totally explosive.

“Do you want more?” he said, spreading her legs wider apart.”

Remember to comment for a chance to win a print or e-book copy of Perfection: Eternally Three.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Karen's back, with her fabulous e-book, Forbidden. One of the nicest women I know and my very first critique partner, it has been an absolute priviledge being friends with her for the last four years. Please join me in welcoming her to Love Musings-- and don't forget to comment for a chance to win an e-copy of Forbidden.

Blurb:

He always wanted what he couldn’t have…

Playing With Fire, Book 1Forbidden desires, secret needs…that’s not what girls are made of. At least, that’s what Michaela’s past boyfriends told her when she revealed her darkest, dirtiest fantasies. She knows she’s better off without the exes, but she’s lonely—and horny. It doesn’t help that her roommate, Austin, is the most gorgeous man she’s ever laid eyes on. Too bad he’s bisexual…or so he says.

There’s a reason Austin hasn’t been with a woman in a long time. The only one he wants is Michaela. He’s fought his attraction for months, waiting for a sign, desperate to show her she’s everything he wants in a lover. One illicit kiss leads to an explosive night of sex that leaves her wanting more—yet afraid. But Austin is a patient man, more than willing to tear down her boundaries piece by piece. Exposing her to pleasures she’s never known.

Trust leads her to whisper her most deeply held fantasy. One that rouses a new emotion Austin didn’t expect: jealousy. Possessiveness. He’s the only man he wants in her life. And he’ll do whatever it takes to prove it…

Excerpt:“Want to get something to drink?” He watched her carefully, his expression closed though she saw the lingering heat in his eyes.

Michaela nodded, didn’t say a word, and he took her hand, leading her to the back of the club where a cluster of tables and booths surrounded the gargantuan bar. A group of his friends were seated in a large booth, including Trevor, and they joined them, scooting in so close that Michaela was plastered to Austin’s side.

She wasn’t complaining. His hard thigh pressed firmly next to hers, his body heat ratcheting up her internal temperature another one hundred degrees. God, it was hot. She lifted her hair away from her neck with both hands, wondered why she hadn’t put it in some sort of ponytail and then she felt a faint breeze waft against her sensitive skin.

Michaela turned to see it was Austin, his beautiful lips slightly pursed, blowing across her neck, cooling her down, heating her up. Her sex tingled, her breath caught in her throat when he did it again and she felt the little hairs at her nape move, tickling her.

“You looked hot,” he said when their gazes met.

“I…am.” In more ways than one.

His mouth curved upward, just on one side, a rather secretive smile that said he knew exactly what she referred to. The air was heavy, and not just from the heat, but with sexual tension. It crackled around them, gave her courage, gave her hope that maybe she wasn’t imagining this.

A waitress appeared with a tray of drinks for everyone already at the table and they took turns telling her what they wanted, Austin dropping a ten-dollar bill on the tray to hurry the order. Michaela thought she might die of thirst and was thankful when someone offered a spare glass of water. She gulped it, savoring the cool liquid sliding down her throat, and when Austin nudged her, she offered the glass to him, which he took gratefully.

How could a man arouse her by drinking a glass of water? She had no clue but it was happening, watching Austin’s lips curve around the edge of the clear glass. He tipped his head back and drank. Throat working with the movement, his Adam’s apple bobbed with every swallow. His neck was tanned, strong and corded with muscle and her mind drifted. Back to earlier in the afternoon when he’d stood in the hall draped only in the towel. The smile on his face, his hair wet, his skin wet from the shower…

She shivered and he caught it, slowly setting the glass on top of the table. He reached for her hand, his fingers curling around hers.“Don’t tell me you’re cold.”

She was damp with sweat, her heavy hair stuck to her head, and she had a feeling she probably looked terrible. “I’m not.”

His eyes darkened, his other arm slid across the back of the booth seat and his hand landed on her bare shoulder. She held her breath, waiting for his next move.What was he doing? What was she doing? And why did he look at her like that? As if he wanted to devour her in one bite, consume her, do things to her that she only imagined in her darkest fantasies.

Michaela reared back, desperate for some distance. Okay. Her imagination was running on overdrive. He wasn’t looking at her like that. And his fingers weren’t stroking her shoulder either. No, it was all in her vivid imagination.

“We’re headed to the dance floor,” Trevor said, interrupting her thoughts. “You two going with us?”

Trevor gave them a little wave and the entire group from the table followed him out to the dance floor, leaving her alone with Austin.“Are you having a good time?” he asked once everyone left.

She nodded, traced her finger down the edge of the sweating glass of water. She didn’t want to look at him, was afraid of what she might find there. “I am.”

“You’re a liar, you know.” His voice was soft, hot and melting all over her, and she glanced up, caught him studying her, his head tilted toward her.

“What do you mean?” Had he realized her secret? Did he know how much she’d lusted for him lately? Embarrassing if he ever found out.

“You can dance.” His fingers drifted, over her shoulder, down her upper arm and goose bumps followed in their wake. “Very well, I might add.”

Only because he had led her so well but she didn’t want to admit that, decided to bask in his compliment instead. It was almost too much, though, having him touch her, sitting so close. The hard press of his thigh burned into hers, his arm around her, his body leaning toward hers. He was wrapped all around her, and he didn’t even need to be since they had the booth all to themselves.

The waitress suddenly arrived, setting their drinks in front of them with a quick clink of glass, and Michaela grabbed at hers, drinking from it greedily. She needed the bite of the liquor to bring her back to reality, the effects of it to mellow her overactive imagination. She was clearly losing her touch on the real world, and she wanted to get back out on that dance floor as soon as she finished her drink.She needed to lose herself in the music, in the dancing, maybe find someone else to dance with, maybe Scarlett. Not Austin, no way, he would hold her close again, fuel her fantasies and make her think she had a chance.

Question of the Day: Since Karen's very hot excerpt revolves around dancing, I thought I'd ask-- how many of you like to dance? I looooove dancing, but my husband hates it, so it's always a struggle to get him out on the dance floor with me. How about you? Remember, leave a comment for a chance to win an e-copy of Forbidden.

Congrats, Mary G. You're the winner of the first ARC of Dark Embers. My ed. says they are at her desk and ready to go out so I'll have one sent your way :) Drop me an e-mail at tracy@tracywolff.com with your snail mail and I'll get right on it.

And thanks, everyone, for your wonderful comments. I'm so excited you like Dylan and Phoebe ;)

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Okay, sorry, not to detract from the Delicious Tease contest, but I had to tell you guys before my head exploded from excitement. My December Superromance, The Christmas Present, is nominated for an RWA Rita award in Best Contemporary Series Suspense/Adventure-- that's like the Academy Awards of romance writing. Yay!

Today I'd like to introduce you to my alter ego, Tessa Adams. When I first came up with the idea for a modern-day dragon shapeshifter series, my editor at NAL was really excited by the idea-- but she said that because it was so different than the other books I write as Tracy Wolff that she really wanted me to have a different name to go with it-- so Tessa Adams was born.

The first book in the Dragon's Heat series, Dark Embers, hits the shelves in July, an will be followed in January and September of 2011 by books 2 and 3-- currently titled Hidden Embers and Forbidden Embers, all of which take place in the New Mexico desert in the present day.

I had such a good time writing Dylan and Phoebe. This is my stab at the King/Pack Leader book that usually starts a paranormal series and Dylan is my dark, reluctant bad boy turned hero-- he's the second son who never thought he'd have to take responsibility for his people, but when his brother (the heir to the throne) dies, he is thrust into the position of being King, just as a deadly disease is threatening to destroy his entire clan forever. Phoebe is the kick-ass, brilliant, take-no-prisoners biochemist I teamed up with him to try and cure the disease.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the excerpt as much as I enjoyed writing it-- Dark Embers is one of my favorite books (that I've written) to date and I'm really hoping you guys like it as much. The winner for today's contest wins a Dark Embers ARC-- my editor is having them printed up this week and I'll have her get one in the mail as soon as they are done.

Blurb:

King Dylan MacLeod is one of the last pure-bred dragon shapeshifters in existence—and ruler of a dying race, the Dragonstar clan. It falls to him to protect his people—and their ancient magic. He has one more duty: to provide an heir.

Like all dragons, Dylan can only procreate with his destined mate—for whom he’s searched for five hundred years. His dark, rampant sexual appetite has earned him quite the reputation, all in the pursuit of his one true match.

But his search is delayed when a deadly disease sweeps through the Dragonstars, and Dylan must venture to the human world to find a cure. He tracks down renowned biochemist Phoebe Quillum, never imagining the beautiful scientist will be the mate he’s been seeking for centuries. But no sooner do they meet then Phoebe and Dylan are besieged by an obsessive, overpowering sexual desire.

Their passion turns to something truer—and they know in their souls and bodies that they’re in too deep to get out. And when Phoebe is kidnapped by Dylan’s oldest enemy, he must risk everything to reclaim the only woman he’s ever loved, or his clan will be wiped out forever.

Excerpt:

Dylan stepped back and watched Phoebe as she shivered with cold and arousal. A part of him wanted to quit the games, to just go to her and love her as he’d been doing all along. But another part wanted to give her this, wanted her to see yet another side of him—and enjoy it.With a deep breath, he concentrated on shifting, not into dragon form, but into his other, more secret form. Few people knew he could do this—Gabe and Quinn, Shawn and Logan—as it was rare for dragons. But her question, What else can you do? hung in his mind. Made him want to show her just what he could do.The shifting started—all pleasure and no pain this time, as his bones didn’t have to break, elongate, change. No, they simply dissolved as he turned from human to smoke. Seconds passed, a minute, as the change took place. He could hear Phoebe moving restlessly from one foot to the other, each shift in her weight causing a little ripple in the pool.

And then it was complete, his body gone. He could still feel in this form, could still think and smell and see and taste, though he had no skin. No mouth. Shifting into smoke was one of the rarest gifts and biggest mysteries his people possessed. But as he floated across the hot springs toward his lover—visible only in the soft gray curls he’d become—it was a gift he was intensely grateful for.He started with her legs, winding himself around her like a snake—stroking, soothing, seducing her with a feather-light touch that had her gasping for air. He skimmed up to her hips, focused on a ticklish spot he’d found on her hip bone.She giggled, but didn’t jerk away. And she kept her eyes closed, making him warm at the sign of trust.Moving on, he circled her hips, wrapped himself in rings and caressed her from her waist to her upper thighs all at once. He dipped into her navel, circled the slight indention, softly, slowly, again and again until her stomach quivered and clenched.

He wanted to move lower, to brush against her clit, to slip inside her and feel what it was like to take her in this form, but it was too soon. She wasn’t ready. And more, he wanted her to know him—to see him as he was now—when he finally brought her to climax.So he moved on reluctantly, though every cell in his strange, weightless body demanded that he dip in and taste her, smell her, feel her warm depths.Deciding he wasn’t steady enough to caress her breasts yet—he would end up inside her the second he tasted her sweet, pink nipples—he started circling her again, then slowly inched his way up her back.The scars were still there, harsh and ugly and enraging. He skimmed over them, covered them, stroked them all at the same time to show her once and for all that they didn’t matter to him. That they only made him want her more, these badges of courage she had received while trying to save someone she loved.

She gasped, tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. Instead he gave them soothing caresses, glancing kisses, trailing fingertips.He slipped up to her shoulders, kneaded the aching muscles even as he allowed himself to slide up the pale, soft skin of her neck. He teased her, taunted her, explored the hollows of her neck as he liked to do with his tongue, trailed delicate tendrils up her jaw, licked into her ear with a soft laugh.She stiffened at the contact, let her head fall back as her nipples peaked. He stayed there for a moment, rimming the soft shell of her ear before sneaking behind to kiss the sensitive spot on her neck.Phoebe moaned, trembled, and the scent of her arousal filled the room. He breathed it in, loving the vanilla smell of her, the sweet warmth that told him just how much she wanted him.He lingered at her throat, behind her ear—it was one of his favorite spots, after all—but eventually he wanted more. Needed more. He worked his way through her glorious curls, blew just a little bit, and sent them streaming out behind her for his enjoyment.

He twisted around one curl, then another, in and out until he reached her scalp. He massaged it slowly in the circular motions she had so appreciated in the shower.“Dylan, please.” Her voice was pained, her hands clenched into fists at her side, her hips canting forward as she searched for more contact, harder contact. He watched her for a moment as he continued to rub her head. But when she moaned—a breathy little expulsion of air that made his every molecule ache he gave in to temptation.Dropping to her breasts, he stroked them all over, let himself curl over the tops while he split into numerous smoky tendrils that tenderly stroked the undersides, as well. Whispering an incantation, he hovered over her nipples and began to suck—the smoke pulling equally on both.

Her eyes flew open and she looked down at him, mouth open in shock. Her cheeks were pink with desire, her eyes glazed with passion. “Dylan?”He couldn’t answer her—not so she would understand, anyway—so he used his insubstantial form to coil around her nipples, flicking the tips back and forth until she reached an unsteady hand out to touch him.“Dylan?” she asked again, as her hand passed through the smoke. He froze, shocked at the pleasure he felt from her touch, astounded that she could turn him inside out even in this form.He took one more firm pull on her nipples—firm enough that she gasped and arched her back—before floating up to her face. He stroked her beautiful cheeks, slid down the curve of her nose, toyed with her lower lip until her mouth parted. And then he darted inside, stroked the top and underside of her tongue, ran one curling, feather-light tendril against the roof of her mouth before darting out again.

As he moved away, she took a deep breath, then another and another. Her body was shaking, and sweat slipped down the valley between her breasts. He followed it, licking as he went.Phoebe’s mind was a maelstrom of thoughts and desires and little shots of fear. She was so aroused that each breath she took trembled in her lungs, each move that Dylan made took her higher until all she could think of was him. All she could feel was him. Wrapped around her waist, sliding down her stomach, filling her mouth—he was everywhere and nowhere, and it was driving her absolutely wild.

She wanted to touch him, to feel his powerful body against hers. Yet the smoke—if it really was Dylan—was there. Teasing her, tempting her, taking her to the edge again and again.She wanted him inside her, needed to feel his cock in her sex as much as she needed her next breath. But she didn’t want to give up the smoke, either, with its curling tendrils that could touch her in so many places at once.Reaching out, she stroked a hand over the smoke, let it curl around her fingers and then brought it to her mouth. She blew on it, much as Dylan had blown in her ear, watched as it shimmered, drifted away, before returning to wrap itself more firmly around her hand.She repeated the movement, blew a soft, steady stream of warm air along her hand from wrist to fingertip. Then opened her mouth and drew some of the sweet-smelling smoke inside. She sucked on it like she would a hard candy.Once, twice, then again and again, until she was forced to take a breath. She opened her mouth, relinquished him and the smoke darted out. She was pleased to see that it was nowhere near as steady as it had been as it worked its way back down her body. Dylan might be magical, but she had a few tricks of her own.

The smugness stayed with her until Dylan darted between her legs and began to stroke. He moved up and down her slit, slipping inside a little more with each pass that he made. She gasped, felt her nipples bead. He dipped deeper, found her G-spot and began to rub.It was strange—odd and arousing—to feel him inside her while her legs were still closed. Strange but powerful and incredibly arousing, the fit and feel of him very different from what she was used to.He stroked deeper, filled her so that every part of her vagina was being touched and caressed at the same time. He started on her clit, too, circling it, flicking back and forth as her body tensed and jerked.Orgasm loomed, burning hot and incredibly deep. She reached for it, gave herself over to it—to Dylan—then moaned as it roared through her like a freight train. Every molecule in her body exploded, lit up from the inside as unbelievable waves of pleasure rocked her. They started in her pussy and moved outward, growing larger with each pulse of satisfaction. She’d never felt anything like it, wasn’t sure she would survive it.

Blackness threatened, overwhelmed her, and she slid into the hot springs, her body still racked with aftershocks. She closed her eyes, then opened them to find Dylan towering over her, his eyes dragon black, his cock so large and full that she knew he had to be in pain.Leaning forward, she pressed glancing kisses along his length. Rubbed her cheek against his silky hardness. Licked at his powerful head before slipping down and sucking his testicles into her mouth.“Phoebe.” The word was barely distinguishable, all dark, dangerous growl, and she knew she’d pushed him to the limit.Turning her head, she took him into her mouth, pulling his throbbing cock deep as her tongue continued to stroke up and down his hard length. Grabbing his ass to anchor herself, she pulled back slowly until only his large, purple head was between her lips. She sucked at it gently, flicked her tongue back and forth as he had done to her clit, before slipping inside the small hole to stroke him from the inside.

“Fuck!” His hands clenched in her hair, and then he was moving her back and forth, thrusting into her mouth with the strength and finesse of an alpha male who had been pushed too far.But he’d pushed her just as far, and she wasn’t willing to make it easy on him. Her entire body was on fire, out of control, and that wild part inside of her—the one she hadn’t known existed before Dylan—demanded that she claim him as he had her.Relaxing her mouth, she trailed her tongue along the bottom of his cock, teased the bundle of nerves on the bottom of the tip and then pulled away.

“Take me,” he growled, his hands tightening in her hair.“My way,” she murmured, blowing warm air down the length of him.“Phoebe.” This time her name was more plea than warning, and she burned with triumph. Then rewarded him with the slow, steady slide of her mouth along his full length. She took him in, all of him, even as he bumped the back of her throat, and began to suck.She savored the taste of him. Musky, masculine, smoky and sweet, he was better than anything she’d ever had before, and she wanted to keep loving him forever.Dylan watched Phoebe through eyes he knew had gone feral. The sight and smell and feel of her was almost more than he could bear; it was ratcheting him up higher and higher, until all he could think of was coming in her sweet, sexy mouth. But as he thrust—gently this time—between her fuchsia lips, he wanted it to last forever.

He watched as she took him, watched as he slid in and out. “Sweetheart,” he murmured, tangling his hands in her riotous curls. “Slow down. I’m going to come.”She pulled back, looked at him with sultry eyes. “I want you to come.” She licked a drop of pre-ejaculate off his tip, and swallowed it with obvious enjoyment.Shit, he was going to blow right here if he wasn’t careful. Phoebe must have sensed his dilemma, because she closed her lips over him again. Her tongue continued to torture him, sliding back and forth over him as she reached behind his balls and touched a spot so sensitive it shot fire down his spine.

It was too much—too much pleasure, too much tenderness, too much stimulus. He tried to pull away, to pull out. Tried to stop the orgasm that was about to whip through him.But Phoebe wouldn’t let him. She dug her fingernails into his ass and pulled him tightly against her, slid his entire length down her throat. She hummed and the ensuing vibrations made a mockery of the little bit of control he had left. With a deep, tortured groan, he emptied himself into her mouth in an orgasm so all-consuming that, for long moments, he went deaf, dumb and blind.And still she continued to stroke him, little flicks of her tongue and fingers that grounded him as nothing else could. That brought him down slowly, from a high so intense it had been like flying.With a groan, he slid into the water beside her and pulled her into his lap. Mate or no mate, he wasn’t ready to let her go. Not by a long shot.

She dreamed again that night, of dragons flying with majestic wings. Of jewels. Of sex and smoke and silver stars. She was flying—with Dylan—through a night so beautiful that she could only gasp in wonder.Until the clouds came and she spiraled down, down, down to a ground so unforgiving she could only cry in pain.And then the claws came—wickedly curved and razor sharp, tearing at her. Ripping her to pieces. Destroying her one long swipe at a time.She screamed as she felt the claws rent her skin.Screamed as she felt the talons yank her apart.Screamed and screamed and screamed until she awoke to Dylan’s black eyes and sheltering arms. He held her against him through the long, long night, but she didn’t sleep again.

Thanks for reading :) Leave a comment telling me what you think of my foray into paranormal romance for a chance to win an ARC of Dark Embers..

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

I'm baaaaaack! Anyway, there will be one more chance to win a copy of Tease Me, but I thought I'd take today to foray into a little different direction. As you can see by the covers on the sidebar, I also write Harlequin Superromances. My next Superromance, Beginning with Their Baby, hits the shelves on July 13th and is a follow up to my June 2009 book, From Friend to Father. I thought I'd give you a sneak peak of it today along with offering signed copies of all three of my backlist Superromances, A Christmas Wedding, From Friend to Father and The Christmas Present. So comment below for a chance to win. Sorry the cover isn't available yet ...

Blurb:

Camille Arraby is impulsive, creative and completely commitment phobic. An artist who works odd jobs to pay the bills, she takes impetuousness to a whole new level—she’s managed to live her entire adult life without putting down roots or taking on responsibilities. But why would she when there’s a big world out there dying to be explored and she’s only seen about half of it? Carpe diem is her catch phrase, which is why she goes home with the tall, good-looking guy she met at a friend’s art exhibit. One night stands aren’t her usual thing, but this guy is just too delicious to let slip through her fingers. One night turns into six weeks, and suddenly she’s looking into the eyes of a guy thinking about commitment. That’s all it takes for the girl voted most likely to sail around the world to take off with a wink and a wave. Love is fine—as long as someone else is falling into it.

Matt Jenkins is haunted by dreams of Camille. From the moment he first saw her, he wanted as much as she would give him—and probably a whole lot more. An architect who is used to bringing order to even the most chaotic project, Camille is a challenge he just can’t resist. And when he starts to fall for her, the control freak in him does something it’s never done before—it surrenders to the inevitability of falling in love. But when Camille takes off on him, unwilling to even give a relationship between them a try, he gives up on her. He’s been burned before—badly—and the idea of chasing after another woman who doesn’t care enough about him to stick around isn’t his idea of a good time. So he writes her out of his life … until the day she shows up, pregnant, on his doorstep.

Opposites attract, but how do two such different people put aside their differences and try to build a life for themselves—and their child?

Excerpt:

Looking into his eyes, she promised herself that she wasn’t going to run anymore. Matt was everything she wanted and more than she deserved and she would not turn her back on what they had simply because she was scared.Suddenly, she was in a huge hurry, but Matt seemed almost hesitant, as if he was afraid to hurt her with her new, unwieldy body.Determined to change that, she smiled sexily and murmured, “I won’t break, you know. I’m still the same woman I was six months ago.”It was all the invitation he needed. Breathing harshly, he backed her up against the glass door that led to the backyard and held her there as his lips ran over her neck and shoulders and the hollow of her throat.Fire raced through her wherever he touched, and she could tell he felt the same way. His breathing was harsh, his muscles tight, his arousal hard where it nestled in the juncture of her thighs.And he was staring at her, watching her, with eyes of melted chocolate. She glanced down, suddenly overwhelmed by the need to see herself through his eyes. To understand what made him lick his lips while he gazed at her, to know why he was so aroused by this new shape of hers.Her breasts were full, swollen, her nipples bright pink and hard as rubies. Her skin was pale, the dark blue veins of her breasts evident beneath the oh, so delicate skin. Her stomach jutted out beneath them, round and hard and ungainly, but he didn’t seem to mind, his hands racing over the taut skin like it was the most beautiful think he’d ever seen.His hands moved up, cupped her breasts and she gasped at how could he felt.“Are they sore?” he whispered, bending down to trace the upper curve of her breast with his mouth. “The books say—““Not too sore. Not if you’re gentle.” Her hands covered his, squeezed, in a plea for him to touch her. Really touch her.“I will be. I promise.” His tongue licked over her breast—softly, sweetly, tenderly. Tears sprang to her eyes at the care he was taking with her, but she blinked them back. She wasn’t going to cry—not this time. No matter how cherished he made her feel.Then his mouth turned rougher; darkness and flames licked their way from her nipples to her stomach, down her arms and legs, until they coalesced in the ache between her thighs.“Matt, please.” She thrashed against him, bucking and arching as she tried to coax him into giving her what she wanted. What she needed.He only laughed and pulled his mouth away completely, his breath a soft breeze over her achingly aroused flesh. She grabbed his head in her hands, her fingers tangling in his silky, too-long hair as she tried to force his mouth back to her distended nipple.“Don’t tease me,” she pleaded as she arched against him.“Baby, I haven’t begun to tease you.” He curled his tongue around her areola, sucked it into his mouth with a power so strong he had her gasping.“Too much?” he demanded, immediately softening the pressure.“No, no, no!” It was a mantra, a plea for him to continue. When he did, the pleasure was so intense she had to bite her lip to keep from screaming.“Take me.” She didn’t care that she was begging, didn’t care that she sounded hot and needy and completely overwhelmed. The only thing she could think about was getting Matt inside her, and she would do anything to get him there. Risk anything to have him where she so desperately needed him.“That’s what I’m doing.” His breath was hot against her breast, his hair cool against her neck and chin. She was pushing against him, whimpering, pleading with every weapon she had for him to put her out of her misery.He refused to be hurried, no matter how restlessly her legs moved against his or how desperately her hands clenched in his hair. He pushed her and pushed her, licking delicately, nibbling softly, until she was on the brink of sobbing. Only then, when she was strung tight and on the edge of madness, did he drop to his knees in front of her.“Oh, God!” She couldn’t stop the whimper that welled in her throat, any more than she could keep from twisting the auburn hair in her suddenly tight fists.Rough hands parted her trembling thighs, and he stared at her with burning, intense eyes. “You’re so beautiful, Camille. So unbelievably beautiful.” He reached one calloused finger out and stroked right down the center of her.She trembled again, his words and touch arrowing through her brain to her heart and onto her sex in one burning line. No man had ever looked at this most private part of her and called her beautiful before. No man had ever stared at her as if it was agony not to be inside her. No man but Matt.The thought made heat explode within her, shooting her arousal from hot to feverish to downright frenzied. She could feel an orgasm welling powerfully within her and she stood there, shaking, while he brought her right to the brink with almost no effort at all.“I like this,” he murmured, leaning forward so his mouth brushed against her bare inner thigh and the small butterfly tattoo she’d gotten a few months before. “It’s new.”“I got it in Brazil.”He nuzzled the small tattoo, licked it. “It suits you,” he murmured, running his lips over her hipbone and abdomen. As he stopped to nibble at each birthmark and freckle., she was deathly afraid that her legs would give out beneath her.“Matt, I’m going to fall.” Her hands clutched at his shoulders.“I won’t let you.” His mouth closed softly over her navel, his tongue incredibly gentle as it probed her belly button and the soft skin of her abdomen.And then he was moving on, moving down, his lips skimming over the curve of her stomach, down the side of her hip. His tongue made little forays underneath her hipbone, delicate little touches that lit her up like a Roman candle. Sharp little nips that had her gasping for air with lungs that had forgotten how to breathe.“Matt.” It was a cry of agony, a plea born of desperation, and his hands clenched on her thighs as he realized just how far he had pushed her.Shudders racked his body as Matt buried his face between Camille’s thighs. She smelled delicious, like brown sugar and vanilla and sweet, sweet strawberries. He paused for a minute; simply absorbed her smell into himself. He took a deep breath, then another and another, while his thumbs stroked closer and closer to the slick folds of her sex.With each slide of his thumb, she trembled more. With each clasp of his hands, she took a shuddering breath. And when he moved forward, blowing one long, warm stream of air against her, she started to cry, to sob, her body spasming with even the lightest touch of his against it.He was on fire, his erection so hard that he feared he might explode if he didn’t take her soon. But he wasn’t ready for it to end, wasn’t ready to send her careening over the edge so he could follow behind.He wanted to savor her, to push her, push himself, higher than they’d ever gone before.But she was coming apart, her body so sensitive and responsive that it humbled him even as it made him sweat.“You’re unbelievable,” he muttered as he delivered one long lick along her gorgeous sex. “So incredibly responsive I could just—” He stopped talking as Camille screamed, her hands clutching his hair as flames ripped through her. He kissed her a second time. And then a third, lingering on her most sensitive spot.She sobbed as she hurtled over the edge, orgasm roaring through her body like a series of shooting stars. He held her while she came, stoking the flames higher and higher until she was screaming silently, her hands clutching at his shoulders in an effort to pull him up and into her.Her need sent him over his own edge, and he stood in a rush. “I need to be inside you,” he growled, as he turned her and pressed her front against the cool, glass door.

Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win my three Superromances. Have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

I’m working this week on the revisions for my next Doomsday Brethren paranormal romance, so this book is very much on my mind. I can’t wait to share it with everyone. I think it’s my favorite story in the series so far. Take a peek!

Dangerously handsome Simon Northam, Duke of Hurstgrove, and his uptight brother Mason are hardly close, but crashing his wedding and stealing his fiancée further aggravate their sibling rivalry. Duke’s family has no notion he’s a wizard, so how can he explain that magickind’s fate lies with the beautiful, tenacious bride he longs to seduce for his own?

Felicia is an Untouchable, a rare human whose presence disables magic—even the impenetrable forces surrounding Morganna le Fay’s tomb. The evil witch’s malicious powers could propel nefarious wizard Mathias to ultimate world domination . . . if he can resurrect her. To conceal herself, Felicia must succumb to her smoldering desires to mate with Duke, but he risks binding his life—and sanity—to a lover whose loyalties are forever torn. He faces a choice: betray his brother for ultimate survival . . . or lose the woman who tempts him beyond control.Very first excerpt released!Felicia opened the bathroom door and peeked out, her face hesitant. “Can you help me? I hate to ask…”“Anything,” he vowed, crossing the room to her.She bit her lip. “My dress…”Then turned her back to him. A row of small row of satin buttons secured the lace gown from her neck to her waist—twenty of them at least. And she wanted him to unfasten them? Unwrap her like a package?A fresh wave of desire swamped him, nearly overwhelming. Dear God, how could he touch those buttons—her skin—and not take more?Felicia cast a nervous glance over her shoulder again, moving the thick tumble of golden curls that had fallen from her twist out of his way.Duke did his best to school his face and soothe her as he closed the distance between them . His heart revved, his palms turned damp. He wanted her so badly, he nearly couldn’t walk right.She’s not yours.With shaking hands, he reached for the first button at the creamy flesh of her nape, just above wispy curls rioting near her hairline. Another button, then a second, a third…revealing the line of her spine and the softest skin. With each button, Duke exposed more and more of her, and his greedy gaze ate up every inch. The dress fell away, baring the delicate slopes of her shoulders, her upper back, the hint of her small waist.His breathing turned ragged. As close as he was, Felicia couldn’t possibly fail to notice.Two buttons left. He reached for the first, and couldn’t resist caressing one fingertip down her spine. She shuddered and looked back, wide-eyed, pupils dilated. She bit her plump bottom lip between her teeth, her breathing harsh. Red colored her cheeks.Dear God, she was aroused.Grabbing the last button, he twisted it, sliding it free of its mooring. He had to get away from her before he did something they’d both regret.The dress sagged forward, and she caught it—but not until it fell from her bare shoulders and slid toward her hips, revealing white lacy knickers he yearned to rip from her body.“Thank you,” she breathed.“You're welcome.” His voice sounded rusty, as if he hadn’t used it in years.Walk away!But he stood, rooted. Staring.Felicia retreated—until her back hit the portal. With one hand, she grabbed the edge of the door. To steady herself? To shut it? With the other, she clutched her dress to her breasts. Duke still saw the shadow between them. Pale, plump, tempting…His gaze bounced up to her face. She stared back.The lust thickening his blood nearly knocked him over, and Duke gripped the door jamb above her head for support. In forty-three years, he’d never felt anything like this. Not during his privileged adolescence, where the right glance and a bit of title-dropping got him any girl he wished. Not during his tumultuous transition from man to wizard. Certainly not recently, when sex had become mechanical, a mere way to power up for the next battle against Mathias.This…was totally unfamiliar and beyond his control.Duke shuffled closer. Her body heat grabbed him across the mere ribbon of space between them. He leaned in, tilted his head, his gaze zeroed in on her lips, thoughts of tasting her storming through his head.He knew he was about to make the biggest mistake of his life.“Stop me,” he murmured.Felicia stared, breathless, silent.Heart revving, Duke inched closer, enough to see the little line bisecting that lush lower lip and smell the peppermint of the holiday candy he’d given her in the car. “Felicia, stop me.”But she swayed closer, her eyes fluttering shut. Her hand left the door and latched onto his bare shoulder. Her touch jolted his system, a lightning rod charging through him. Thought stopped, desire flared.Yes, he was going to hell, but he’d go with her sweet taste on his tongue.If you haven’t been reading the Doomsday Brethren, you have time to catch up before ENTICE ME AT TWILIGHT releases!

Book 1 – TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS -

Book 2 - SEDUCE ME IN SHADOWS

Book 3 -POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT

And the free short story "Fated"Comment here and today’s winner will receive a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Today my friend Nikki Duncan is going to be talking about her first book, Sounds to Die By. I picked it up on the very first day and have to tell you I loved, loved, loved it. I really like characters who are just a little unusual and Nikki definitely creates two that fit the bill in this book. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Sounds to Die By.

Blurb:

Rookie FBI Agent Kieralyn Beckett is in a delicate position. Her team refuses to buy into her theory that a string of kidnappings is connected. If she pushes too hard, they’ll discover the latest victim was her college roommate and boot her off the case. A garbled recording is the only evidence, and there’s only one man who can decipher it. The hard part will be convincing him to take the case.Blinded as a child, NSA “listener” Ian Cabrera spends the majority of his time analyzing data while secretly searching for his father, a missing CIA operative. His plate is full, but Kieralyn’s passion and determination, as well as the erotic beat of her heart, spark his interest. So does the mention of his father’s code name on her recording.

There’s only one way to follow this new crumb-trail of clues without tipping her off about what he’s really after. Convince her she needs him to be her undercover partner, despite his handicap. Between her eyes and his ears, they make one beautifully orchestrated team. Every time they touch, though, the arousal they generate creates one red-hot element of distraction…

Excerpt“I’m not stepping away from this.” She struggled against him. He held firm.“I didn’t suggest that.” He kissed her forehead. “But you need to release some of the energy building inside of you.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “One way or another, you have to allow yourself to escape all thoughts of the case.” He kissed the other corner of her mouth. “Or you’ll burn out.”“I’ll escape after I save the women.” She softened against him—marginally.“No.” He slid his mouth over hers. “As much as rescuing those women—Lana—means to you, as important as it is to stop the injustices they and other women may suffer, you have to realize that you can’t do it all alone. And you can’t do it without knowing who has them and where they’re being held.”Like she had outside the club, Kieralyn melted against his body. Her hands rested at his waist with her fingers brushing against his shirt, sliding the material against his skin.“You believe that I’m right about the connection? That the club we were at, the owner, is connected to it all somehow?”“Yes.” He walked her backwards, deeper into the kitchen. “But there are still too many unanswered questions.”She arched her neck. A tiny moan escaped her lips. “Like what?”He nibbled the cord of her neck and maneuvered her around the table. “Like what you taste like.”“You’ve already kissed me.”“Not enough. Not everywhere.” He slid his hands up her back and buried them in her heavy hair. “Are you going to let me make love to you, Kieralyn?”“Ian, the case—”“Isn’t going anywhere.” Her heart slammed beneath her soft breasts pressed against his chest. “I, on the other hand, may go mad if you say no.”“No pressure.”“Oh, there’s a lot of pressure.” He rolled his hips so she could feel his arousal. “It started building when I heard your voice in my lab this morning.”“Aah.”“The breathy way you pleaded your case teased me.” He fisted his hands in her hair and pulled her head back some more. “Then I caught your scent. Soft lilacs that became more erotic with every beat of your heart.”“You’re a confusing man, Ian Cabrera.” Her ragged breath rushed over his neck. She bunched the fabric of his shirt in her hands. “I don’t know how to handle you.”The image of them outside the club earlier—when she’d slipped her fingers into the waist of his pants—popped into his head. It would be easy for her to slip the button free, ease the zipper down, and slide her hand down and around him. His dick throbbed.“There’s nothing confusing about desire.”

Comment here to win a digital copy of SOUNDS TO DIE BY or signed copy of the print book as soon as it’s available.

Sorry I'm so late getting this up today-- I had some technical difficulties. Anyway, I'm sure you're anxiously awaiting the sneak peak of Maya's next sweet and steamy book, Sweet Temptation. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Sweet Temptation.

Blurb:

He was a by-the-book cop who broke the rules in the bedroom…Micah Hudson has painful secrets he’s run hard from. He has new friends, a new life, but he’s about to be confronted with the one person who reminds him of all he’s tried to forget—Angelina, the sister of his oldest friend David. She knows everything about his past, including how he and David fell in love with the same woman, and how they decided the best way to prevent her from tearing them apart was to share her between them. But then a terrible accident left Micah alone…

She was willing to do anything to make him see the woman she’d become…Micah lost the two people who meant the most in the world to him. Angelina lost her only family. And she kept her deepest secret close to her heart. Her love for Micah. No longer willing to wait, she decides it’s time to go after him and bring him to his knees. She knows his secrets, his desires, his kinks and fetishes, and she’ll use whatever it takes to reel him in. Behind the easy going, loves women exterior lies a man with dark needs and passions. She can give him what he wants. But will he decide she’s what he needs?

Excerpt:

He didn’t see her right away. His view of her was obscured by the typical eclectic mix of sexcapades. Business as usual on a Saturday night at The House. The common room where people met to play and act on their fantasies was alive with the sounds and smells of sex.

Micah Hudson sauntered farther into the room, his gaze scanning the erotic mix of flesh. It struck him—as he paused to stare at a beautiful woman being pleasured by an equally beautiful woman— that he was bored. Restless. Cagey even.

His concentration left the pair when he heard the unmistakable slap of leather against skin and a breathless sound of pleasure that rose and quivered around his ears. Beckoning him.

Where?

And then he saw her. Small, curvy and striking. Her nude body glowed in the soft lighting, her skin a light creamy brown, hinting at Hispanic heritage. Her hair slid like a waterfall over her shoulders, parted down her spine by the slither of a whip as it met her flesh again. He couldn’t see her face, and suddenly he wanted to very much. Were her eyes closed in ecstasy, her face soft and warm with pleasure?

Her rounded buttocks shook slightly as her body swayed in the grip of the whip. Her feet moved, arched and then replanted as she braced herself. It was much like a dance, her rhythm intoxicating and erotic.

High above her head, her hands flexed and tightened against the rope that held her wrists captive. Her skin rippled over her shoulder blades as they dipped and caused a slight hollow. Then she relaxed again, and her low moan drifted to him once again.

Beautiful. She was fucking beautiful.

Desire whispered through his veins, gathering momentum, moving faster, surging through his groin. His dick tightened painfully, and he shifted to alleviate the uncomfortable tension.

No longer able to stand watching from afar, he moved forward, working his way through the crowd. Around the people watching the flogging. He circled so that he could see her profile.

Disappointment settled into his chest when he saw the half mask covering her eyes.

His gaze traveled over her luscious, plump lips that were perfectly bowed and untarnished by lipstick. They parted again as another sensuous gasp escaped from her throat.

He could no longer hear the slap of leather or the conversation around him. The sounds of the other occupants fell away, and all he could hear was her.

Her breasts, high and firm, smaller than he usually liked, jiggled when she endured another blow. The nipples, brown, darker than her skin, erect and puckered, soft looking . . . What would they taste like? How would they feel in his mouth? Between his fingers?

His fingers curled. He could feel the slight weight of the globes in his palms as surely as if he were standing in front of her, measuring their size with his hands.

She was a perfect hourglass, her hips slightly wider than her waist, her belly flat and drawing attention to the soft curls between her thighs. They were dark like the fall of hair spilling over her shoulders, and they shielded her femininity, revealing nothing of what lay beneath.

But he could imagine. Oh yes, he could feel her damp heat as he parted the tender folds and delved beyond the silky curls. He’d stroke a finger over her clit and then trail lower to her center, stroking in- ward, feeling the clasp of her pussy sucking him deeper.

Jesus. Sweat beaded his brow, and his cock swelled and strained against his fly.

What about her did it for him? It wasn’t as if he didn’t see women like this in The House all the time. Was it the mystery? Was it her arresting beauty? Or maybe it was the way she arched and bowed her body, seeking the kiss of the whip even as she flinched away.

She was into it in a big way. Deep. Her eyes were closed, but he was sure they were dark like the rest of her. Those sumptuous lips puckered and parted, opened and closed. She made the most delicious, arousing noises, and he wasn’t the only one affected.

Other men watched, as transfixed by the sight as Micah was. Lust blazed in their eyes. They wanted her, but so did he.

Oh yeah, so did he.

He started forward again, his entire concentration on her, on the man making her writhe beneath the whip.

Cole looked up as Micah neared, and he paused, whip held high in the air. And then as if sensing his approach, the woman turned her head and opened her eyes. Liquid heat exploded through his body. Her eyes were so expressive, so bright with passion, and she didn’t look away once their gazes collided. He could drown in those dark pools.Her lips trembled, and for a moment he sensed deep vulnerability, a fact that made him suddenly fiercely possessive.

No, he couldn’t look away any more than she could, and he waited for what he wanted.

Acceptance.

Her small, pink tongue flicked out, licking over her lips in a sudden, almost nervous motion, and then she nodded, need firing in her eyes.

Cole reached out to touch her shoulder, and it was all Micah could do not to react violently. He didn’t want Cole—or anyone else—touching her. She was his for this moment.

“Are you sure?” Cole said in a low voice only she and Micah could hear.

Her gaze flickered, and she turned briefly to look at Cole. Again she nodded, and her eyes flashed as she refocused her attention on Micah.

Those lips. God, those lips. He was dying to taste them, and suddenly he knew he had to. Even as he took the whip Cole extended and stepped forward, his movements jerky and urgent.

He cupped her jaw in one hand, slid his fingers over the softness of her cheek, then slanted his lips over hers and took them hungrily.

He swallowed her gasp. Her taste exploded onto his tongue as he swept it over her mouth, inward, stroking deep. Sweet. Warm. Soft like a woman should taste.

Her tongue met his, boldly tasting him in return. Hot and wet, they dueled, neither backing down. An electric current raced up his spine, ricocheted off the base of his skull and sizzled over his nerve endings like a bolt of lightning.

Starved for air, he yanked himself away, his breaths coming in quick, jerky pants. She stared at him in wonder and swayed against the bonds holding her hands.

He took one step back and slowly circled until he stared at the slim column of her spine.

“Dance for me.”

The whip uncoiled and then came alive, arcing and then landing with a sharp crack. A glow rose on her skin, and her erotic moan hovered, sweet and arousing.

The room quieted, and her soft cries grew louder, more frequent. Moans. Sighs. A woman on the verge of climax.

She captivated him. Mesmerized by the sight of her reacting to his whip, his touch, his command, she excited him on a primitive level. She touched him in places that hadn’t felt warmth in a long time.

He didn’t understand it, but he latched on to it like a man starving.

The whip coiled and snapped, hissing and then landing, the welt rising on her skin. She rose up on tiptoe, her body straining even as she arched her back, waiting, wanting another lash.

The muscles in her slender arms rippled, and her fingers splayed out, stretching and then curling into her fists again. Faster, she moved in time with the lashes, dancing an erotic rhythm that held the room in her thrall. Race to release. Micah watched in fascination as he worked her into a heated frenzy.

The last lash fell just as a cry of sweet ecstasy burst from deep inside her. The sound was primal and beautiful, and it instilled an ache in his gut that extended to his balls. He was painfully erect, his cock bulging against the zipper of his jeans. He wanted nothing more than to shove his pants down and bury his cock between her ass cheeks. He wanted her ass, her pussy, her mouth. He wanted this woman.

No longer able to keep from touching her, he ran his fingers over the thin welts crisscrossing her back. She moaned softly, leaning into his caress. He smoothed his palms up her back and then under her arms and down her sides.

Wanting to look into her eyes, to see her again, he walked around her, letting his hand trail over her skin until his fingers rested on her belly and he stood over her.

“Look at me,” he said huskily. He lifted his hand to her chin, tilted it up so her gaze met his. “You’re so beautiful.”

Her lips curved upward in a tremulous smile, and he traced the fullness of her bottom lip with his thumb. He dropped his head to hers, their mouths touching. He paused, taking it slower this time, wanting to savor her sweetness. “I want you. I want you so much it’s killing me.”

His voice was hoarse and needy, but he didn’t care. He only knew if he didn’t have this woman, he’d go crazy. He reached up to untie her hands, and when they were free, she faltered, her knees buckling. He caught her to him, her body melting into his. She felt so damn good, and his zipper was trying to brand a permanent tattoo on his dick.

Wanting to feel the silk of her hair, he dragged his hand through it, enjoying the sensation of it sliding through his fingers.

“Will you come home with me?” he murmured.

His lips were just centimeters from hers. Her breath blew over his face, and he inhaled.

She stared back at him, desire warming her eyes.

He tucked a long strand of her hair behind her ear, and his thumb snagged on the mask. He wanted to see her, wanted to know more about this woman he was determined to possess tonight.

She uttered a sharp protest and raised her hands to grip his, all the while shaking her head in mute denial. She tried to turn away, but the mask slipped and caught in her hair. A strangled sound erupted from her throat and she backed hastily away, but not before he saw her features.

Shock hit him square in the balls. He was going to be sick. Angel. David’s sister. Dear God, what had he done? She stared back at him, frozen, her eyes wide and almost frightened.

The beautiful naked woman standing in front of him was quickly replaced by images of Angelina at sixteen. Innocent, with a dazzling, flirtatious smile, the kind that a kid wore when she thought the world was hers on a silver platter. He couldn’t conjure an image of her older. She was stuck as that sixteen-year-old kid. How old was she now anyway?

David’s sister. Goddamn it.

Fury quickly replaced his utter disbelief. “Angelina, what the fuck?”

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